You guys used a new producer for this album, what prompted the change?
We all agreed it was time for a change. At the time we had been making a lot of changes with management and our attitudes towards our career so we felt and still feel good about everything.
Do you think that you will use a different producer for your next album?
Yes I know we will use someone else. We have been talking a little about doing it ourselves but we'll see. This is just the beginning of this record so we have some time to think about it.
How has the album been received?
Well we love it and that's all that matters. I think people are diggin it though.
How long did it take to write the new album?
We started writing this record pretty much right after Lies For The Liars and some of the stuff that made the album Quinn and I started writing before Lies. At one point we were all sort of sharing this house in L.A. for a few months so we just camped out there and wrote a lot. Anytime we had time off we were writing. So I guess this album in a sense was a few years in the making.
What were your inspirations for the album? (e.g. 'Meant to Die' in particular? (referencing Heath Ledger))
Yeah I know that "Meant To Die" has something to do with Heath Ledger's death and about dying too soon or on accident. Every song has it's meaning but I think that leaving it a mystery is better. I like to get my own meaning from a song and not look too hard on what the real meaning is.. The idea behind "ARTWORK" is to artistically do whatever you want on your own terms and that's how we made the album. We created when we felt creative and made the album we wanted to make. I think that more artists should be that way.
How important do you feel artwork is for an album and what was the inspiration behind the cover art? Do you think it adequately reflects the music on the record?
It's a really important record to us as all of them are, we don't write music to please anyone but ourselves. People probably look at the album cover and automatically think drugs but maybe it has something to do with the media, T.V. and commercials pumping bullshit in to everyone. There are a lot of creative/original people in the world but it seems as if more and more rip offs or people who just want their fame and fortune are out there, fuck all that. You have to be creative as an artist no matter what kind of art it is.
Did you have any other cover art ideas? If so what were you thinking about doing?
That was pretty much the album cover we always had in mind.
Your album is very different from your previous work - was there anything in particular that prompted this change?
Well I think that progression might be a good way to put it. We decided before going into the studio that we were going to make a dirty and raw record and we were going to do things on our terms and that's what we did.
Tell us about your genre of "gross pop"
We're a rock and roll band and THE USED have always been just that. Gross pop is just a way for us to say what we think our album sounds like, it's gross and at the same time it has a pop sensibility to it.
You're currently touring the UK. How are the shows going and what's the crowd been like?
The shows have been incredible! The crowds are going off pretty hard and it's been really fun getting to know some of our fans after the show. We have the greatest fans in the world, not just here but all over the world and it's nice to get to play for them.
What do you think of your support act, 'We are the Ocean'?
They're ok, I'm not into them really. I think that HEXES the opening band on this tour are bad as fuck they're really raw and just straight up bad ass. Check them out.
I know that our Editor Rachel would definitely agree!
Recommend us three bands who we should check out now...
Killing Joke, Refused, Ink and Dagger, Every Time I Die, Silverchair, Hexes, and a lot more.
Are you looking forward to going back to Australia? Did you enjoy your last visit?
We love Australia and we can't wait to come back. Every time we've been there has been amazing, everyone has been nothing but great to us. I know we're coming back soon so get ready!
What is the craziest thing a fan has done at one of your shows?
There was a kid that came to a show and was waving his prosthetic leg in the air and eventually threw it up on stage. I thought that was pretty funny. We met him after the show and we gave him his leg back.
Woah!
And finally, what do you hope to achieve in the next few months with regard to touring and your music?
We are going to be touring a lot and we hope that people will come and enjoy the show a along with us. We'll be touring the world very soon so come see us.
